Anniversaries & Celebrations! – Page 71

Master Yin Le - the New Head Monk of the Shaolin Temple!

China: Shaolin Temple [少林寺] Quickly Appoints New Head Monk! (30.7.2025)

30/07/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Years ago, when I first accessed the internet, I used to argue with young Americans (and some UK and EU people) that the gongfu they were learning for vast amounts of money in China and the West – was not real and product of youth-orientated (Western-derived) gymnastics. They were so brain-washed they thought the lay-men who taught them in robes were real Shaolin monks! Furthermore, they said that our gongfu was “old fashioned” and “out of date”! Many of the ethnic Chinese “teachers” were greedy and money-orientated – seeing spirituality as “weak”. I stopped arguing as I did not want to be seen as attacking the CPC – which I would never do. In return, I was asked to appear on Chinese TV and explain my connection to China – but I politely refused. The last thing I wanted was further exposure and hundreds of people asking for instruction. It is important to live humbly and simply – and not for show. It is best to disappear and not be seen. If in doubt, keep out of sight.

Rutland: Visiting Rockingham Castle! (29.7.2025)

30/07/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Despite visiting Duddington (in Northants) regularly since 2009, we had never seen any signs for “Rockingham” – and wondered where this place was. Furthermore, whereas King Henry VIII used to frequent “Nonsuch” (in Sutton and Cheam – where we live) – I am told that King John (1166-1216) of Magna Carta fame, used to spend his leisure time staying at Rockingham Castle – which is near Rockingham village. He used to hunt in the local woods. Apparently, Henry VIII granted the castle (the Norman version of which is currently over 950-years old) to the Watson family (it was leased to Edward Watson in 1544). Prior to this, the general area the castle is now constructed upon possessed a Roman (a coin production industry) – and then a Saxon (Lord Bovi) – presence. The locale of Rockingham (probably the nearby village) is mentioned in the 1066 Doomsday Book – with the castle proper being built between 1066-1071.

Shi Yongxin Accused of Making Giant Spliffs at Shaolin!

China: Shi Yongxin Rumours Light-Up Internet! (29.7.2025)

29/07/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

It was the Trotskyite Khrushchev who (copying the US) introduced the Death Penalty for Civil Crimes in 1959. The problem Khrushchev had was that no Soviet-educated Jury would inflict the Death Penalty – as they had been taught that the Czarist Authorities routinely used “Death” as a means of controlling and oppressing the workers. Karl Marx, of course was opposed to all forms of Death Penalty. He quite rightly said that the State does not possess the right to harm an individual’s body in anyway – and I agree (doubly as a Buddhist). Lenin was of the opinion that Marx only meant that the Death Penalty should not be applied to the workers – but can be applied to class enemies. Why Lenin thought this – I am not sure. Lenin was a trained lawyer after-all – so perhaps he is seeing something I cannot in the work of Marx. Of course, I do accept that in the time of brutal war – executions might be required – even if I personally disagree. Sometimes we have to separate our personal beliefs (disentangle them from exterior circumstance) if life is to flow-on unhindered. This is why we require a strong moral foundation to our characters and judgement. We must avoid self-indulgence and wayward harshness. If it is proven “true” that Shi Yongxin was defecting to the US and was preparing to condemn the Communist Party of China on the White House lawn whilst Vance and Trump chuckle away – then i could well see an execution taking place. Surely a demonstration of bad-karma if ever I’ve seen it!

Northants: Adrian & Gee Graduate as Scarecrows! (28.7.2025)

28/07/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Being fans of the books and various dramatizations of “Wurzel Gummidge” – we were thrilled to lean of a local (Northants) “Scarecrow Course” sponsored by the Labour government as a job creation scheme. As this is a wealthy area – the local landowners are always on the look-out for suitable candidates for this partly government funded training course. Initially, we had to watch all the Jeepers Creepers films and learn to run smoothly through the corn fields.

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple. (File photo/China Daily)

China: Shaolin Head Monk – Shi Yongxin – Under Investigation for Alleged Criminal Offenses! (28.7.2025)

28/07/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

In Japan, a Buddhist monk or nun can get married, produce children, eat meat, and drink alcohol. In other words, these people are lay-people in robes – but are practicing dishonesty. A group of Chinese Ch’an monks had been following the Vinaya Discipline when they travelled to Japan to spread the Ch’an Dharma – but returned with Japanese wives and children – and wearing lay-clothing – eating meat and drinking alcohol. In front of Xu Yun – these “monks” petitioned the post-1949 government of China to permanently abolish the Ch’an requirement for monks and nuns to be celibate and vegetarian. Xu Yun is said to have loudly slapped the table – stating that the Chinese government should do the exact opposite – that is, integrate the Vinaya Discipline into the fabric of China’s secular law. If a man or woman wants to be an ordained Buddhist monk or nun, then it should be a legal requirement – punishable by secular law – if they fail to uphold the rules and regulations of the lifestyle they have chosen to follow. Being a Buddhist monastic is a “job” that requires a strict form of lifestyle.

Northants: Ancient Duddington – Tixover Bridge! (27.7.2025)

27/07/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

As soon as we entered the graveyard – everyone started shouting-out the name “Wyles”! I was astonished as I had become so used to having a name that hardly anyone had heard of. It turns-out that names in the UK – just like anywhere in the world – developed in local areas and spread-out as populations moved about. It turned-out that Duddington has been cut-off from mainstream society for years – with my direct relatives not leaving until around 1905. Even today – the world has passed Duddington by. None of the broader changes of society have touched Duddington at all. The local population today are wealthy and conservative with a “C” and “c”. Although I do not share these views myself – I have to admit that these attitudes have preserved my family history until I became aware of it – and have been able to gather all the data together for anyone interested to benefit freely from it. Today, myself and Gee headed to Duddington around 6aam in the morning to get some early research in. We are staying in the Duddington area to carry-out some much needed genealogical investigations and we are making important headways already!

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